Two things followed me from summer into these first few days of fall: The first being an insatiable desire for iced matcha tea and the second being a cluster of dark spots that mysteriously popped up on my nose. OK, so their appearance wasn't that mysterious. I was fortunate to spend two weeks in sunny Greece, but along with my vacation, I got the unwanted souvenirs of dark spots. I know what you're thinking, and yes, I used SPF, but unfortunately, dark spots run in my fair-skinned family, so it was only a matter of time before I encountered my first.
Thankfully, after few years in the beauty biz, I've learned a few things about this exact topic. To help anyone struggling with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other discoloration left over from summer sun, I rounded up some of the best options to fight dark spots—for every budget and need.
Drugstore: Save some bucks and reach for these drugstore skincare bargains!
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector: A classic on the drugstore circuit, Garnier's dark spot corrector is a potent combo of antioxidant vitamin C and E, pine bark essence, and gentle exfoliating lipo-hydroxyl acid.
Burt's Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector: Natural beauty lovers will adore Burt's all-natural formula that's infused with daisy extract.
Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Dark Spot Correcting Serum: This serum counts mulberry fruit, white tea, and grapefruit as active ingredients.
Mid-range: For just a bit more, you can up your dark spot game with these powerhouses.
Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum: Glycolic acid and hydroquinone are the stars of this serum. Used to fade dark spots and exfoliate, respectively, these ingredients make this serum fast-acting and gentle. (It's also a personal fave of this editor!)
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum: Ideal for acne-prone skin, this corrector contains salicylic acid to help control oil and fight breakouts.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer: This dual-chamber serum dispenses Clinique’s Even Better Clinical serum and CL-302 complex to provide a balance of treatment.
Splurge: Those looking to make an investment in their anti-aging routine will love these prestige pretties!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid Plus Retinol Brightening Solution: Retinol and ferulic acid deliver a one-two anti-aging punch to fight fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Equitance Brightening Serum & Spot Corrector: This serum utilizes the power of linoleic acid to brighten and breakup dark spots. (It's also a favorite of Influenster members!)
Shiseido White Lucent MicroTargeting Spot Corrector: You can't talk about dark spot correcting without mentioning Shiseido's classic. This quick-drying formula even boasts minimizing the appearance of future dark spots.
Indie beauty: Lest we forget our indie beauty lovers! These under-the-radar brands offer some seriously stellar finds.
JUICE BEAUTY Green Apple Peel Nightly Brightening Pads: Designed to use nightly, these eco-friendly pads swipe on to deliver antioxidants and hyaluronic acid directly to skin.
100% Pure Dark Spot Remover: With aloe leaf extract, vitamin C, and red algae, this product safely lightens uneven skin tones sans chemical lighteners or bleaching additives.
Osmia Organics Luz Facial Brightening Serum: This serum uses the healing powers of broccoli seed and prickly pear oils to illuminate skin.
What do you swear by for dark spots? Share with us below!
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